hip--I
discover that he loves me, but he will never confess--I
give him encouragement--We manage to persuade
the King to further our intrigue--Not a bit repentant of
my peccadilloes--Very submissive--Introduced to my
lover's wife 199

CHAPTER XLI

AN ATROCIOUS ROYAL SCANDAL

A royal couple that shall be nameless--The voluptuous
Duchess--Her husband the worst of degenerates--"What
monsters these royalties be"--Nameless outrages--A
Duchess forced to have lovers--Ferdinand and I
live like married folk--Duchess feared for her life--Her
husband murdered her--I scold and humiliate my overbearing
Grand Mistress--The medical report too horrible
to contemplate 205

CHAPTER XLII

I LOSE ANOTHER OF MY LOVERS

Happily no scandal--Rewarded for bearing children--$1250--for
becoming a mother--Royal poverty--Bernhardt,
the black sheep, in hot water again--The King rebukes
me for taking his part 213

CHAPTER XLIII

THE CROWN PRINCESS QUELLS A RIOT

Asked to play the coward, and I refuse--A hostler who
would die for a look from me--Hostler marriages in
royal houses--Anecdotes and unknown facts concerning
royal ladies and their offspring--Refuse police escort
and rioters acclaim me--Whole royal family proud
of my feat 219

CHAPTER XLIV

THE NEW LOVER, AND "I PLAY THE HUSSY FOR FAIR"

Who is that most exquisite _Vortaenzer?_--A lovely boy--"Blush,
good white paper"--I long for Henry--My eyes
reflect love--"I must see you tonight. Arrange with
Lucretia"--Sorry I ever loved a man before Henry--Poetry
even--I try to get him an office at court--Afraid
women will steal him 227

CHAPTER XLV

LOVE AND THE HAPPINESS IT CONVEYS

My Grand Mistress suspects because I am so amiable--Pangs
of jealousy--Every good-looking man pursued by women--A
good story of my cousin, the Duchess Berri--We
all go cycling together--The Vitzthums--Love making
on the street--A mud bath 233

CHAPTER XLVI

FEARS FOR MY LOVE

Some reflections on queens of old who punis